127 To reach this state of stability, both hydrogen and oxygen atoms create covalent bonds with each other, as illustrated in the diagram on the right. In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms are covalently bonded to the oxygen atom. But because the oxygen atom is larger than the hydrogen atom, its attraction for the hydrogen's electrons is correspondingly greater so the electrons are drawn closer in to the orbit of the larger oxygen atom and away from the hydrogen orbits. This means that although the water molecule as a whole is stable, the greater mass of the oxygen nucleus tends to draw in all the electrons in the molecule including the shared hydrogen electrons giving the oxygen portion of the molecule a slight electronegative charge. The orbits of the hydrogen atoms, because their electrons are closer to the oxygen, take on a small electropositive charge. This means water molecules have a tendency to form weak bonds with other water molecules because the oxygen end of the molecule is negative and the hydrogen ends are positive. A hydrogen atom, while remaining covalently bonded to the oxygen of its own molecule, can form a weak bond with the oxygen of another molecule. Similarly, the oxygen end of a molecule can form a weak attachment with the hydrogen ends of other molecules. Because water molecules have this polarity, water is a continuous chemical entity. These weak bonds play a crucial role in stabilizing the shape of many of the large molecules found in living matter. Because these bonds are weak,

they are readily broken and re-formed during normal physiological reactions. The disassembly and re-arrangement of such weak bonds is in essence the chemistry of life. Water is a universal solvent due to the marked polarity of water molecules and their tendency to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules. To illustrate water's ability to break down other substances, consider the simple example of putting a small amount of table salt in a glass of water. Table salt, also known by its chemical name sodium chloride [NaCl], is an example of an ionic compound, which means that one of the atoms involved stole a valence electron from the other. In this case, the chlorine atom [Cl], stole an electron from the sodium atom [Na], resulting in the creation of an electronegative chloride ion [Cl-] and an electropositive sodium ion [Na+]. The two ions are bonded together because of the attraction of opposite charges. better understand ionic bonds After salt is placed in water, the ionic bond between the sodium and chloride ions is broken due to the competitive action of the water molecules that outnumber the salt molecules. The electronegative oxygen pole of the water molecule is attracted to the positively charged sodium ions [Na+], and the electropositive hydrogen pole of the water molecule is attracted to the negatively charged chloride ions [Cl-]. As with the example of table salt, water has the ability to dissolve many unwanted substances that have accumulated in our bodies over time, such as solid waste and toxins, and to flush them away through the body's natural elimination channels such as lungs, colon, kidneys, liver, and skin.

122 I used a negative logarithm of the hydrogen concentration to create a scale from 0-14, where a pH of less than 7 is an acid, 7 is neutral, and higher than 7 is an alkali," reads an 2009 announcement from Carlsberg, on the 100th anniversary of the breakthrough. So water has a pH of 7, lemon juice 2.4, and bleach 12.5. The pH of beer is between 4.1. and 4.6 .... Before the pH scale, the only parameter to measure acid levels were vague terms such as 'good,' 'bad,' or 'slightly more than last time.' The innumerable useful applications of the pH (short for "potential of Hydrogen") scale range from foods and beverages to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics. Just about every liquid has had its pH measured at some time—including those in our bodies—which, it is very important to note, have more than one pH level. Take the stomach, for instance. It has a pH ranging from 1.35 to 3.5, due to production of hydrocloric acid, which aids in digestion. Blood, on the other hand, must always be slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.35 to 7.45. The body's buffering systems keep it within that precise range, and excess acid is excreted by the lungs and kidneys. That's part of their job, and they are very, very good at it. The body maintains its pH balance over widely differing diets, and even though what you eat can affect the pH level of your urine, it cannot affect the pH level of your blood. Understand? Good. Now back to

. These electrical devices—which generally cost from $1,000 to almost $6,000 and are often sold by multi-level marketing companies—attach to the kitchen faucet or go under the sink. They strip out contaminants, like other filters, and, besides producing alkaline water for drinking, they also produce acidic water, for cleaning. If you've ever washed windows with a water-and-vinegar mixture, you know acidic water is a good cleansing agent. But the notion that alkaline water can fight or prevent disease? Any chemist will tell you that there is still much to learn about water, but hmmm. Many of the online claims are based on the theory that ionized alkaline water has smaller "clusters" of molecules. According to the Kangen Water website, for instance, "These small clusters make alkaline water Kangen Water more soluble and permeable, allowing you to absorb the important vitamins and nutrients your body needs." And The Alkalizer ("A Wetter Water for a Better Body") maintains that, "The smaller mineral clusters, as measured by the use of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance device is a more hydrating water than normal tap water. Through electrolysis large tap mineral clusters are reduced from their original size. The smaller cluster size gives the water excellent hydrating properties, high solubility and good permeability."